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DJ Fresh is responsible for producing the first dub-step number one in the UK, that is the absolute smash ‘Louder’, so we were expecting good things.

The gig wasn’t going great though before it had even started, with the crowd waiting what seemed to be an age for the support-less DJ.

When he did eventually show he opened with the explosive ‘Gold Dust’ which was promptly, and oddly, followed by an apparent fire alarm!

Granted we got to hear ‘Gold Dust’ again, but the gig was beginning to feel a bit shambolic and not even ‘Louder’ could redeem this short and ultimately disappointing set.

Concorde 2, 30 November 2011
Rating:
Kayleigh Lewis

Taking a retrospectively influential B movie of the ’60s and mixing it with an original soundtrack from punk musician, beatnik poet and all round creative character David Thomas and his latest creative project Two Pale Boys, was an incredible experience. Feeding the sound of brass instruments and guitar through a midi system, along with Thomas’ otherwordly vocals that screeched and sighed, the scares were heightened from the slightly ridiculous and uneasy to the uncanny and spine-tingling, showing quite how this film that was immediately dismissed upon original release went on to influence the likes of David Lynch. Eerily fascinating and a delightful ambush of an experience.

Duke Of York’s Picturehouse, 2 December 2011
Rating:
Victoria Nangle

The Christmas party season officially started with a fine selection of rocking rhythm and blues numbers that kept the dance floor filled as everyone jitterbugged and lindy hopped to the sounds of Joe Turner, Wanda Jackson et al. Bad Bad Whiskey delivered a storming set of honkytonking classics and the dancing continued with singer Citizen Lane, sounding uncannily like Lonnie Donegan, joining in as the band delivered a blistering version of ‘Cocaine Habit Blues’ followed by crowd pleaser ‘Midnight Special’. After their set, Lane took to the decks and at midnight we were all offered mince pies. A friendly, fun night out.

Latest Music Bar, 2 December 2011
Rating:
Steve Clements

A packed Studio Bar was treated to a wonderful performance from this chamber sextet. Instrumental ‘Berliner Luft’ typified their sound, with guitar and violin chugging like a train as the reeds tooted over the top. Craig Fortnam’s upright piano and harp-like acoustic guitar added to the clean, organic sound of the group’s wistful, folky vignettes, which vocalist Sharron added emotional expression too – like a Nordic Kate Bush. Several pieces were inspired by Hardy, Blake and Yeats, and the clarinet arpeggios sweeping over the bassoon’s bass signatures recalled a rolling English countryside of yesteryear. The audience were silent throughout except to applaud each song.

Komedia, 4 December 2011
Rating:
Steve Clements